The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed March 12 to March 19 for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for Osun and Ekiti governorship elections.
INEC Director (Voter Registration) Emmanuel Akem made the disclosure at a Stakeholders’ Forum on the “Status of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) toward the 2015 general elections’’, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, this will enable the commission to accommodate all complaints that may arise from voter registration before the governorship elections.
He said that the commission would use Registration Area Officers (RAOs) for the registration at ward levels.
Akem added that INEC was looking at the possibility of using mobile platforms to carry out the registration.
He said that the CVR would correct some of the anomalies detected in the 2010 voter register, stressing that the CVR was not for those that could not register in 2010.
“We want to use the opportunity of the CVR to correct some of the mistakes in terms of biometrics in the previous registration.
“The choice of the registration centres at the ward has to do with increasing the participation in the process,’’ he said.
He, however, noted that those who could not register at the ward could come to the INEC Local Government offices to register.
The director also said that the commission would comply with the Electoral Act that places N100,000 fine on any person involved in multiple registrations.
Earlier, Dr Hussaini Abdu, Country Director, ActionAid International, Nigeria, said that the credibility of the voter registration was a major determinant of a credible election.
Abdu  said that the civil society organisation had been clamouring for credible voter register since 1998.
He noted that the country had not voted with a permanent voter card since 1999, adding that the development informed civil society organisations to engage in the proposed Electoral Act.
The country director emphasised that the INEC was approaching the continuous voter registration in a seasonal manner.
“You do not need a particular date to secure an international passport. You just walk into the office of the Immigration service and apply for one as long as you meet the requirement.
“That is the same way voter registration should be done. So, the continuous voter registration, as the name implies, should be continuous in its actual meaning,’’ Abdu said.
He suggested that INEC should have offices at both local and state levels where people could go to vote.
Abdu said that the civil society organisations were concerned about how to have systematic approach to the continuous voter registration.
The event was organised by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and four other international agencies.
 BUSINESSDAY

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola sensitizing his ward members on the importance of his All Progressive Congress (APC) Membership Registration in Ward 8, Ilesa East Local Government, State of Osun on Friday 07-02-2014

From left, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun Chapter,
Elder Adelowo Adebiyi; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola;
his Wife, Sherifat; Mr Kabiru Aregbesola and others, during their
Registration as Members of APC in Ward 8, Ilesa East Local Government,
State of Osun on Friday 07-02-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (sitting) registering
as a member, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 8, Ilesa East
Local Government, State of Osun. With him are, his Wife, Sherifat
(right); Mr Kabiru Aregbesola (2nd right); Chairman, Osun Registration
Committee, Mr Yunus Akintunde (3rd right) and others. on Friday
07-02-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola sensitizing his ward
members on the importance of All Progressives Congress (APC)
Membership Registration in Ward 8, Ilesa East Local Government, State
of Osun on Friday 07-02-2014

While politicians who are nursing the ambition to unseat Rauf Aregbesola as the governor of the state of Osun are making promises on what they are capable of doing and will do if elected into office, the incumbent is pointing at some achievements he has made in the last three years in the areas of job creation and information communication technology (ICT) as his basis for seeking re-election.
Ahead of the August 9, 2014, gubernatorial election in the state, the state government last Thursday flaunted its achievements. Aregbesola told the people that if he and his team could achieve so much between 2011 and now, it would be unimaginable the good fortune that would be the lot of the state in the next four years if returned to government.
It was a celebration of promised kept in the state as the governor, in company of his deputy, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, led other government functionaries in the state to the launch of a technology centre in Ilesha.

Traditional rulers, captains of industry, students, teachers, community leaders, market women and numerous youths gathered to witness the epoch-making event, the opening of the RLG-Adulawo Technology City.
To most politicians in the country, road construction, rehabilitation and electrification projects are the beginning and end of governance. But then, even though these are germane, they are perishable.
For Aregbesola, enduring dividends of democracy are quality and affordable education for every child of Osun, and other forms of empowerment that can make the people capable of fishing for themselves rather thin being provided with fish always.
Aregbesola’s belief stems from the fact that whereas well-paved roads and other architectural constructions can degenerate into death traps and uninhabitable structures as a result of wear and tear over time, a well educated and empowered indigene can positively affect several lives and enhance the quality of infrastructure by virtue of the individual’s acquired knowledge and position in life.
In a country where job creation is being politicised and the level of unemployment hitting the roof, only visionary leaders keep to their campaign promises.
Delivering his speech titled ‘We shall continue to serve our people’, the governor, at the event, said: “We are here gathered to give a toast to, and celebrate the place and power of vision”.
According to him, “Our philosophy is that political power is not obtained for its sake but to be used in the service of the people. At the inauguration of our administration, we set many objectives for ourselves. Two key among these are the need to create jobs for our teeming youths and making Osun the hub of ICT in Nigeria. It was a tall order and it looked impossible then. The opening of this complex (technology city), however, is an indication that we are on the right path and we will get to the destination if we keep at it”.
It was a carnival of sort, as different traditional musical groups sang and danced, eulogising the development stride of the state under the governor’s watch.
Aregbesola’s speech was intermittently punctuated by songs rendered in local parlance, the rhythm of which the governor and his guests happily danced to.
The governor further said: “It is the determination of our administration to be a player in the ICT game. You will all recall our computer tablet innovation, Opon Imo, which has been distributed to senior secondary school pupils in public schools in the state. Opon Imo has won numerous awards in Nigeria and abroad and for which we have received expression of interest from other states, corporate bodies and individuals. We are working to increase our capacity for its production, after which we will extend the benefit of this innovation to  other Nigerians. But before Opon Imo, however, we have deployed information technology in salary and pension administration, revenue collection, agriculture and geo-mapping in the state.
“Through Oyestech, we aim to train 20,000 youths in four batches. It has successfully trained 5,000 youths out of which 100 went to Ghana for further training. We are preparing to send another batch of 50 to Ghana. More than 100 graduates of Oyestech have been absorbed into this factory; 50 are working at the Opon Imo factory in Osogbo while more than 400 have found jobs with Chams Plc in Osun. About 2,200 have been empowered to be self employed and are earning decent income.”
Aregbesola further said that the complex was a demonstration of his administration’s resolve to partner the private sector through the creation of an enabling environment and infrastructure for rapid industrialisation and job creation.
“Our job creation and positive engagement of our youths began in 2011 with the employment of 20,000 youths in O’YES, less than 100 days of being in office. We have also opened up the agriculture sector through O’REAP and have engaged tens of thousands in food crop cultivation, fisheries, beef production, apiary and even cocoyam cultivation. Last year, Omoluabi Garment Factory was opened in Osogbo.
“The spin over effect of our job creation is unquantifiable. The first is that government has been able to torch every household in the state. Through our various job schemes, there is no home that has not felt our impact and families are more comfortable now than before our coming. Secondly, taking thousands of youths off the streets has improved the security situation in the state since the devil finds work for the idle hand. This is confirmed by two recent reports that Osun is the safest state in Nigeria. The third is that the foundation for development has been solidly laid and we can from there move to higher levels,” he said.
“The opening of the factory, I am sure, will provide engagement for our detractors and naysayers whose obsession is just to condemn and oppose any policy that improves the lives of our people and brings development to our state. They opposed O’YES, they condemned Opon Imo, they lashed at road construction, they criticised agriculture and food production and they even condemned building a house of worship for God. People who opposed God, what else can they not oppose? When some people oppose God, how can they support and care for the people?
Addressing the cheering crowd, Roland Agambire, MD, RLG, an ICT company, said: “I bring you warm greetings from His Excellency, the president of Ghana. The President of Ghana is happy that RLG is here today collaborating with the State of Osun State and so, I bring you warm greeting from the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.”
Agambire further said: “Why are we not talking about oil in Osun State? Anybody coming to Nigeria to invest is talking about oil. Today, a lot more people are talking about oil in Ghana. I see technology as a tool that is going to be the driver of the economy and capital investment into this state and decent job creation for the people of this state.”
Bambo Bashorun, Oyestech director, commended the Aregbesola administration over the job-creation initiatives.
“Unemployment is a very big challenge to the country. For any nation to grow there must be job and skills acquisition. In Nigeria, efforts to create jobs have been politicized. By the vision of the state government to explore the ICT, opportunities are being created for youths of our state to earn a decent living”, Bashorun said.
BUSINESSDAY 

AN author, Chief Olaleye Falore, has urged the Osun State government not to relent in its efforts at raising the bar of education in the state.
Falore, who is Chairman/Managing Director of Phaloray Book Works, made the appeal in Ilesa while speaking at the opening of the 80th anniversary celebration of Ilesa Grammar school.
He enjoined the alumni of the school, many of whom he described as notable personalities in the society, to support their alma mater by identifying with the school at all times.
At the grand finale of the anniversary today, distinguished old students of the school, including the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; a former governor of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Jakande and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore, will be honoured.
TRIBUNE

The newly posted Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commandant to the State, Mr. A. Hussein has paid the Internal Revenue Service a courtesy visit stressing the need to strengthen the already existing symbiotic relationship between FRSC and IRS.
While speaking at the meeting, the acting Chairman/CEO of Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Dayo Oyebanji appreciated the mutual understanding that has been existing between the two agencies in the aspect of discharging their statutory duties.
He then promised to render all the assistance at his disposal to make the FRSC fulfill their statutory duties, especially in the area of enforcing compliance to payment of road taxes and levies which is required for the growth of the State’s IGR.
In his response, the new FRSC sector Commandant, Mr. A. Hussein assured the Internal Revenue Service under the leadership of Mr. Dayo Oyebanji, of his readiness to combat fake number plates as well as fake drivers’ license that have been become rampant in most of the Sates in Nigeria.
He then said that, the deadline for the new plate number which has been slated for 30th of June, 2014 still remain intact and thereby solicited the support of Osun IRS in realizing this dream.  He, however, reminded those that are yet to comply with the new plate number directive to quickly do so before the lapse of the duration.
OSUNNEWS

The Osun Divisional Conference of Obas which comprise traditional rulers in Osun Central and Osun West Senatorial Districts have lauded the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for making the state proud at a joint British parliament sitting he addressed recently.
This is contained in a release signed by the Aragbiji of Iragbiji who also doubles as the Secretary of the Body HRM Oba Rasheed Olabomi.
The Body of Traditional Rulers said Ogbeni Aregbesola remains the first Nigerian and African Governor to achieve such feat, expressing their delight that, for the British Parliament to have been very keen on taking a cue from the exemplary performance of Governor Aregbesola, the extent of having him as their tutor on the State of Osun School Feeding Programme christened O’Meal is a good testimonial of the superlative performances of the Governor. The Royal Fathers urged the good people of Osun to continue to support him so as to serve the state longer.
OSUNNEWS

The Chairman, State of Osun House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Kamil Oyedele has charged the State Ministry of Justice to “put its house in order” and get prepared to ensure that justice is done in all ramifications in this election year.
Hon. Oyedele also charged them to work harder and remove all obstacles causing delay of justice in the state.
The Chairman gave the charge while his committee hosted the Ministry of Justice at the on-going year 2014 Budget Defence Exercise on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
He said the Ministry of Justice has a crucial role to play in ensuring that justice prevails everywhere in this election year in the state, saying the society looks up to them as their last hope over election cases and other issues.
Fielding questions from members of the Finance and Appropriation Committee, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola for giving them the opportunity to employ 17 lawyers describing the employment as first of its kind in the history of the Ministry of Justice in the State, adding that the feat has helped the Ministry in the quick dispensation of Justice.
Speaking further, the Attorney General disclosed that over 1000 alternative resolution cases had been filed since the creation of the Department in 2011, while more than 200 out of it had been settled.
He said Governor Aregbesola has also approved the construction of court buildings in all the constituencies of the state, adding that the Governor also given approval for the supply of laptops to lawyers to assist them in the discharge of their duties.
The Commissioner for Justice said the State now has the best electronic law library in the country.
Others that took turns to defend their 2014 budget include; High Court of Justice, Judicial Service Commission and the Customary Court of Appeal.
OSUNNEWS

Photos from the introductory visit of the Founder, Mr Carlos Torres and Manager of RESUL Company to the Governor in his office, Abere, Osogbo on Thursday 07-02-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Founder of RESUL Company, Mr Carlos Torres (left) and
Exort Manager of RESUL company, Mr Duarte Amaral, during the introduction of their company to the Governor in his office, Abere, Osogbo on Thursday 07-02-2014

Chief Lai Oyeduntan is the Chairman, Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Committee (O’ SCHOOL). He spoke with Vanguard’s GBENGA OLARINOYE on the Osun School infrastructure development embarked upon by the Rauf Aregbesola administration among other issues. Excerpts:
What informed the decision to embark on infrastructure development in the education sector?
The education sector was in a very deplorable, unacceptable and embarrassing condition and we still have left overs of the dilapidated, embarrassingly, dysfunctional, infrastructural elements in our schools. It would be irresponsible of any government not to have done something about the situation, but what to do became the issue.
When we came in, less than three per cent of Osun students sitting external examinations were considered matricable. By any yardstick or standard, this sector was dead. Look at the consequence of that particular sector- the pupils, the system, the environment. The teachers refused to teach and to impact knowledge. And for them to be effective, many things must come to play. Teachers must be interested and be encouraged to teach. Also, the pupil that finds himself in an unacceptable learning environment is unable to learn.
What was the state of the infrastructure before Aregbesola’s government intervention?
The environment in which pupils and students found themselves was horrible. The school blocks were dilapidated- no windows, leaking roofs, ceilings blown off, floors marked by potholes, schools that were not secure. When schools closed at 2pm, goats and undesirable elements took over and schools became den of hemp smokers and vagabonds.
This was the situation we met. The education conference was called within 100 days of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s coming to the saddle because he had a plan for education sector and the recommendations from the summit were policy options that the government could adopt to revamp the sector.
We must recognise the importance of education, for without it, the society is doomed. And we are not talking about learning to read and write alone but the totality of the development of man – the mind and body.
So, what were the options that the government selected?
Government adopted to re-motivate and enhance the capacity of the teachers to teach and to encourage the pupils and students to learn because once the teaching and learning processes are enhanced, the sector will become more vibrant.
Government has recruited more teachers and is focused on the development and redevelopment of teachers in terms of capacity, training and retraining; government is boosting the morale of the teachers by ensuring that every teacher that is due for promotion is promoted and almost 7,000 primary school teachers were promoted in the last one year.
In fact, teaching job is being professionalized in Osun as the administration of the teachers, schools and basic education has been decentralized from one office to six, headed by the Permanent Secretary or Tutors-General who up until a few months ago, were school principals.
For pupils, government has been encouraged to rejuvenate learning as enrolment in elementary schools was dwindling because of poverty.
What is the cost implication to the government of these strides in the education sector?
Apart from the physical structure, it takes over N4bn every year to feed pupils ; N4bn that goes to the streets of Osun. We now have farmers doing poultry and beef and 3,300 Osun women are now engaged as official food vendors, it’s a booster to the economy.
Also, because of the large number of uniforms required, a garment industry came into being in Osun which is a booster to the economy, the students in the higher classes are being encouraged to take their destiny in their hands with the distribution of Opon Imo, a monumental innovation that has won accolades all over the world.
What are the major constraints your committee encountered?
Money. If we have money, it would have been a lot easier. Capacity to build is another. Our state is very poor and it would be irresponsible of any government to think that it can’t do much or there wasn’t much to do and people of Osun must be grateful to God for giving us a governor like this at this point in time. If the IGR alone can be boosted from N300m in a month to N1.6bn, it’s like miracle that has opened up the fund we have been able to use.
As we speak, virtually every incoming support into government is diverted to education. MDG is building four elementary schools and a middle school and we are looking at the possibility of another six immediately. I must commend our National Assembly members. They have pulled up their so called constituency projects together and they have put together N1.6bn and they are putting all that in education, building and renovating schools.
VANGUARD